In Leading with Questions, internationally acclaimed management consultant Michael Marquardt shows how you can learn to ask the powerful questions that will generate short-term results and long-term learning and success. Throughout the book, he demonstrates how effective leaders use questions to encourage participation and teamwork, foster outside-the-box thinking, empower others, build relationships, and solve problems. Based on interviews with twenty-two successful leaders who “lead with questions,” this important book reveals how to determine which questions will lead to solutions in today’s complicated world.

There is deep seated concern among planners over the Government’s planned market-led approach to future housing provision, according to research published today to coincide with a conference on housing. The research was commissioned by the CPRE, whose Chief Executive Shaun Spiers will make a keynote speech at the event.Mr Spiers will use his speech to challenge the Government’s proposals to give market signals, such as house prices, a leading role in the planning process. He will call instead for more investment in subsidised homes, for rent and for home ownership for those people who are priced out of the housing market.

The National College for School Leadership is launching new professional development programmes for head teachers and members of school management teams in response to a report that found they needed more support if they were to make extended school hours work.The report, “Taking the Wide View”, was commissioned by the NCSL and the charity ContinYou and was drawn up by the think tank Demos. It showed that while some heads were making good progress towards building an extended school culture, many were still daunted and needed more specialist support. As a direct response the College is to offer development opportunities specifically geared to leaders of extended schools.